Electric line striper

ABSTRACT

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid includes a horizontal frame, a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a rear axle extending from one or both of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame, a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying the ground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and a fluid reservoir support stage removably positioned over the horizontal frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/444,153 filed Jan. 9, 2017 for “ELECTRIC LINE STRIPER” by Mark D.Shultz, David M. Larsen, and James C. Schroeder, which is fullyincorporated by reference herein. Reference is also made to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/865,524, entitled ELECTRIC LINE STRIPER WITHINVERTER, filed concurrently.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to line striping systems, andin particular, to wheeled line striping systems.

Wheeled line striping systems are used to paint stripes on roads,parking lots, athletic fields, and in indoor facilities. Traditionalline striping systems include an internal combustion engine and a liquidfuel tank from which the engine draws fuel, such as gasoline. The engineruns to reciprocate a pump onboard the line striping system to pumppaint. The combustion engine is noisy and emits fumes, which may beundesirable in certain striping locations. Further, wheeled linestriping systems can be heavy and difficult to maneuver.

SUMMARY

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid includes ahorizontal frame, a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a leftrear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, arear axle extending from one or both of the left rear wheel and theright rear wheel, a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontalframe, a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positionedfor spraying the ground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, thepump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and afluid reservoir support stage removably positioned over the horizontalframe.

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the linestriper powered by at least one battery, includes a horizontal frame, afront wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a left rear wheel and aright rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a rear axle extendingfrom at least one of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, amounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame, a spray gunmounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying theground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured topump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and a battery bay including arear compartment located rearward of the rear axle and having space forholding a battery of the at least one battery.

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the linestriper powered by at least one battery, includes a horizontal frame, afront wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a left rear wheel and aright rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a rear axle extendingfrom at least one of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, amounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame, a spray gunmounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying theground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured topump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and a battery bay locateddirectly between the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel. Thebattery bay is a space for holding the at least one battery.

A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the linestriper powered by at least one battery, includes a horizontal frame, afront wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a left rear wheel and aright rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a rear axle extendingfrom at least one of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, amounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame, a spray gunmounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying theground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured topump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and a battery bay thatextends partially below the rear axle. The battery bay is a space forholding the at least one battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a line striper.

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the line striper.

FIG. 3 is perspective bottom view of the line striper.

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of the line striper with a stageremoved to the side.

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of the line striper with the stageremoved to the side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the line striper with the stage anda front cover removed to show a battery bay with a first battery.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the line striper of FIG. 6taken along the longitudinal axis of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of the line striper with the stage andthe front cover removed to show the battery bay with the first batteryand a second battery.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the line striper of FIG. 8taken along the longitudinal axis of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the line striper showing circuitry of theline striper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the present disclosure describes a line striper including aremovable stage for holding a fluid reservoir and positioning the fluidreservoir over a rear axle, which protects a battery bay while stillpermitting easy access to the battery bay and distributes the weight ofthe fluid reservoir. Further, the battery bay is configured to positionbatteries on the line striper such that the batteries are directlybetween rear wheels and balanced with respect to a rear axle, protectingthe batteries and making the line striper more maneuverable.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of line striper 10. FIG. 2 is aperspective rear view of line striper 10. FIG. 3 is perspective bottomview of line striper 10. FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 will be discussed together.Line striper 10 includes horizontal frame 12, front wheel 14, swivelmount 16, left rear wheel 18L, right rear wheel 18R, rear axle 20, frontcover 22, middle cover 24 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), motor 26, motorcontrol 28, pump 30 (shown in FIG. 1), intake hose 32 (shown in FIGS. 1and 2), output hoses 34, fluid reservoir 36, stage 38, spray gun 40,mounting arm assembly 42, plug 44 (shown in FIG. 2), underside plate 46(shown in FIG. 3), underside support 48 (shown in FIG. 3), battery bay50 (shown in FIG. 3), first battery 52 (shown in FIG. 3), vertical frame54, and operator station 56 (which includes power switch 58, shown inFIG. 2).

Line striper 10 has a generally rectangular horizontal frame 12elongated along longitudinal axis A, which indicates a front and a back,or rear, orientation of line striper 10. Horizontal frame 12 isgenerally planar and oriented parallel with the ground. Horizontal frame12 is formed of pieces of tubular metal, plate metal, a combination oftubular metal and plate metal, or any other suitably-shaped metal, themetal being rigidly fixed together, such as with welding or bolts. Inthis embodiment, horizontal frame 12 has rounded corners. In alternateembodiments, horizontal frame 12 may have squared corners. Front wheel14 is mounted to horizontal frame 12 near a front or first end ofhorizontal frame 12 via swivel mount 16. Swivel mount 16 is attached tofront wheel 14 and to the front, or first end, of horizontal frame 12.Left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R are mounted to horizontalframe 12 near a back, or second end, of horizontal frame 12 via rearaxle 20. Left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R are mounted onopposite ends of rear axle 20. As such, rear axle 20 extends from leftrear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R between left rear wheel 18L andright rear wheel 18R. Rear axle 20 is attached to horizontal frame 12such that left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R are positioned onopposite sides of horizontal frame 12. Rear axle 20 may be a single axleor two independent but axially aligned axles, such as stub axles.

Front cover 22 is positioned above a front portion of horizontal frame12, which is near the first end of horizontal frame, such that it coversa front portion of line striper 10. Front cover 22 can be a polymericmolded plate. Middle cover 24 is positioned above a middle portion ofhorizontal frame 12 such that it covers a middle portion of line striper10. Middle cover 24 can be a polymeric molded plate. Motor 26 ispositioned above horizontal frame 12, such that motor 26 is adjacentmiddle cover 24. Motor 26 is an electric motor. Motor 26 may be arotor-stator motor, a brushless motor, or any other suitable electricmotor. Motor control 28 is attached to motor 26 at a side of motor 26.Pump 30 is attached to motor 26 at an end of motor 26 and mounted onhorizontal frame 12. Pump 30 may be a piston pump or any other suitablepump. A first end of intake hose 32 and first ends of output hoses 34are attached to pump 30. A second end of intake hose 32 is attached toor in fluid communication with fluid reservoir 36. In this embodiment,fluid reservoir 36 is a bucket. Fluid reservoir 36 is positioned on andsupported by stage 38. Stage 38 is a metal plate removably positionedover horizontal frame 12. Second ends of output hoses 34 are attached toor in fluid communication with spray gun 40. Spray gun 40 is mounted onmounting arm assembly 42. Spray gun 40 is oriented to point downwardtoward the ground and is positioned for spraying the ground. Linestriper 10 may have any number of spray guns 40. Mounting arm assembly42 is connected to horizontal frame 12. As such, spray gun 40 is mountedon horizontal frame 12.

Plug 44 is positioned on a side of line striper 10. Plug 44 accepts aconventional power cord (not shown) that plugs into a standardelectrical wall outlet that supplies an AC wall outlet signal (e.g. a120 volt 60 hertz signal, or a 230 volt 50 hertz signal, depending onthe region).

Underside plate 46 is positioned at a bottom of line striper 10 suchthat underside plate 46 extends below horizontal frame 12. Undersideplate 46 is positioned below a middle portion and a front portion ofhorizontal frame 12. Underside support 48 is rigidly connected tohorizontal frame 12 and positioned at a back portion of horizontal frame12. Underside support 48 is adjacent underside plate 46 and below stage38. Underside support 48 hangs below horizontal frame 12 and rear axle20 between left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R. In thisembodiment, underside support 48 is composed of two elongated metalmembers (e.g. bent rods). In alternate embodiments, underside support 48may be formed from metal or polymer sheets. Underside support 48 forms abottom portion or a bottom support of battery bay 50. Battery bay 50 isa partially or fully enclosed space for holding one or more batteriesthat can power line striper 10. Battery bay 50 extends below horizontalframe 12 and rear axle 20. Battery bay 50 is below, or beneath, stage 38such that stage 38 is over battery bay 50 and covers battery bay 50.Stage 38 is removable to expose battery bay 50. Battery bay 50 islocated directly between left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R.As seen in FIG. 3, battery bay 50 accepts first battery 52. Undersidesupport 48 cradles first battery 52. As such, first battery 52 ispartially below horizontal frame 12. First battery 52 is a rear batteryas it is in the rear-most position within battery bay 50. First battery52 may be a rectangular battery. For example, first battery 52 is shownas a standard rectangular box battery used in the automotive and/ormarine industry. First battery 52 may be a deep cycle marine battery(e.g. lead-acid), a lithium battery, or any other suitable battery.

Vertical frame 54 is attached to the back or second end of horizontalframe 12. As such, horizontal frame supports vertical frame 54. Verticalframe 54 is oriented substantially orthogonal to horizontal frame 12.Vertical frame 54 can be constructed similarly to horizontal frame 12.Vertical frame supports a hose reel, a filter, and components ofoperator station 56. Operator station 56 may include components such asa display, controls, handle bars, levers, buttons, and switches.Operator station 56 includes power switch 58.

Front wheel 14, left rear wheel 18L, and right rear wheel 18R supporthorizontal frame 18 and all components on line striper 10. Front cover22 and middle cover 24 conceal and protect internal components of linestriper 10. Underside plate 46 supports and protects components carriedon horizontal frame 12.

Motor control 28 controls, at least in part, the operation of motor 26.Motor 26 provides a mechanical input to pump 30 via, for example,gearing and a yoke or crank, to drive pump 30. Pump 30 pulls paint fromfluid reservoir 36 through intake hose 32. By action of a piston orother type of pump mechanism, pump 30 pumps and outputs paint under highpressure through output hoses 34 for spraying from spray gun 40. Assuch, pump supplies paint, or other line striping fluid, to spray gun40. Spray gun 40 points downward toward the ground to spray paint on theground. Spray gun 40 can be actuated from operator station 56 usingmanual controls, assisted controls, automatic controls, or a combinationthereof. Power from plug 44 is used to operate motor 26 directly orindirectly by use of a battery. Power switch 58 is used to turn motor 26on and off.

Typically, a user holds handlebars of operator station 20 and pushesline striper 10 forward. Paint may be sprayed from spray gun 40 of linestriper 10 onto the ground to paint stripes. While a line striper thatpaints stripes is used herein as an example, any fluid or material maybe dispensed on any ground or floor surface in any pattern.

Conventionally, line stripers use an internal combustion engine to powerthe pump in order to pump paint. Combustion engines emit fumes, makingthem undesirable for indoor striping, such as in sports arenas,warehouses, factories, and indoor parking facilities. As such, the useof a combustion engine may limit the environments and situations inwhich line striping can be performed. Further, combustion engines arenoisy, making them undesirable for striping at night in locationsproximate residential areas. Unfortunately, the most convenient time tostrip roads and parking lots is often at night because traffic is at aminimum. Using a battery powered electric motor 26 to power pump 30reduces vibration and noise generated by line striper 10, making itpossible to stripe at night. Moreover, line striper 10 powered by firstbattery 52 does not emit fumes, making it suitable for indoor linestriping and increasing the environments in which it can be used.

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of line striper 10 with stage 38removed to the side. FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of line striper 10with stage 38 removed to the side. FIGS. 4 and 5 will be discussedtogether. Line striper 10 includes horizontal frame 12, left rear wheel18L, right rear wheel 18R, rear axle 20, fluid reservoir 36 (shown inFIGS. 1-3), stage 38, underside support 48, battery bay 50, firstbattery 52, and crossbar 60 (shown in FIG. 4). Horizontal frame 12includes front section 62, rear section 64, left side section 66L, andright side section 66R. Stage 38 includes base 68 (which includes topsurface 70, bottom surface 72, front end 74, rear end 76, left lateralside 78L, and right lateral side 78R), wire frame ring 80, front flange82F (shown in FIG. 4), left flange 82L (shown in FIG. 5), which includesslot 84, and right flange 82R (shown in FIG. 4), which includes slot 84,and fasteners 86.

Line striper 10 has the same structure as described in reference toFIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Fluid reservoir 36 is positioned on and supported bystage 38. Stage 38 is a metal plate removably positioned on horizontalframe 12 such that stage 38 rests on horizontal frame 12. Stage 38 ispositioned over rear axle 20, underside support 48, and battery bay 50.Underside support 48 extends below horizontal frame 12 between left rearwheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R and forms the bottom portion ofbattery bay 50. Underside support 48 can cradle one or more batteries.As such, battery bay 50 is between left rear wheel 18L and right rearwheel 18R and accepts one or more batteries. In this embodiment, batterybay 50 is configured such that when first battery 52 is positioned inbattery bay 50, first battery 52 is entirely directly between left rearwheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R. In alternate embodiments, batterybay 50 may be configured such that when first battery 52 is positionedin battery bay 50, first battery 52 is partially directly between leftrear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,first battery 52 is a rear battery. Crossbar 60 extends between a firstside of horizontal frame 12 and a second side of horizontal frame 12 inbattery bay 50. Crossbar 60 is above rear axle 20. Crossbar 60 is metal.

Horizontal frame 12 has front section 62 at a front, or first end, ofhorizontal frame 12. Front wheel 14 is mounted to horizontal frame 12 atfront section 62. Rear section 64 is at a back, or second end, ofhorizontal frame 12. Rear section 64 is opposite front section 62. Leftrear wheel 18L, right rear wheel 18R, and rear axle 20 are mounted tohorizontal frame 12 adjacent rear section 64. Vertical frame 54 ismounted to horizontal frame 12 at rear section 64. Left side section66L, or left section, extends from front section 62 to rear section 64at a first side, or left side, of horizontal frame 12. Left side section66L connects to front section 62 at a corner and connects to rearsection 64 at a corner. Right side section 66R, or right section,extends from front section 62 to rear section 64 at a second sideopposite the first side, or right side, of horizontal frame 12. As such,right side section 66R is opposite left side section 66L. Right sidesection 66R connects to front section 62 at a corner and to rear section64 at a corner. Left rear wheel 18L is mounted at left side section 66Land right rear wheel 18R is mounted at right side section 66R. A firstend of crossbar 60 is attached to left side section 66L and a second endof crossbar 60 is attached to right side section 66R such that crossbar60 extends between left side section 66L and right side section 66R.Front section 62, rear section 64, left side section 66L, and sectionside section 66R can be formed from different types of support members,such as tubular members (elongated hollow members which can be generallysquare, rectangular, or circular in cross-sectional profile) in somesections and flat plates in other sections. One piece of metal may forma portion or the entirety of one or more of front section 62, rearsection 64, left side section 66L, and right side section 66R (and canbend at the corners to transition into the different sections).

Stage 38 has planar base 68 with top surface 70 at a top of base 68 anda bottom surface 72 at a bottom of base 68. Front end 74 of base 68 isat a first end, or front, of base 68. Front end 74 has a cut-out. Rearend 76 of base 68 is at a second end, or rear, of base 68, which isopposite front end 74. Bottom surface 72 near rear end 76 may rest on atop surface of rear section 64 of horizontal frame 12. Left lateral side78L of base 68 is at a first side, or left side, of base 38 and extendsfrom front end 74 to rear end 76. Right lateral side 78R of base 68 isat a second side, or right side, of base 68 and extends from front end74 to rear end 76. Bottom surface 72 near left lateral side 78L rests ontop surface of left side section 66L of horizontal frame, and bottomsurface 72 near right lateral side 78R rests on top surface of rightside section 66R of horizontal frame 12.

Wire frame ring 80 is attached to top surface 70 of base 68. Wire framering 80 is segmented and shaped to surround fluid reservoir 36. Fluidreservoir 36 is placed within wire frame ring 80. Front flange 82F isattached to base 68 and is generally orthogonal to base 68. Front flange82F is attached to front end 74 and extends downward from base 68. Leftflange 82L is attached to base 68 and is generally orthogonal to base68. Left flange 82L is attached to left lateral side 78L and extendsdownward from base 68. Right flange 82R is attached to base 68 and isgenerally orthogonal to base 68. Right flange 82R is attached to rightlateral side 78R and extends downward from base 68. Front, left, andright flanges 82F, 82L, and 82R can extend over and wrap partiallyaround horizontal frame 12. For example, left and right flanges 82L and82R can extend over and wrap partially around left side section 66L andright side section 66R, respectively. In alternate embodiments, stage 38may have any number of flanges 82, and flanges 82 may be attached to oneor more of front end 74, rear end 76, left lateral side 78L, and rightlateral side 78R. In this embodiment, left flange 82L and right flange82R each include a slot 84. Slots 84 are spaces in flanges 82L and 82Rthat can accept fasteners. Fasteners 86, such as screws, extend throughslots 84 and screw into apertures in the outsides of left side section66L and right side section 66R of horizontal frame 12. As shown in FIG.4, stage 38 can easily be lifted up and away from line striper 10 byloosening fasteners 86. Likewise, stage 38 can easily be set in place bylowering stage 38 to rest on horizontal frame 12 and engaging fasteners86 to secure stage 38 to horizontal frame 12.

Stage 38 supports fluid reservoir 36. Stage 32 is positioned onhorizontal frame 12 over rear axle 20 so that fluid reservoir 36 islocated over rear axle 20, distributing the weight of the paint in fluidreservoir 36 on both front and back sides of rear axle 20. Wire framering 80 supports fluid reservoir 36 on stage 38. Crossbar 60structurally supports rear axle 20. As such, the weight of line striper10, which is supported by left side section 66L and section side section66R and transferred to crossbar 60, is further transferred to rear axle20. The weight is then transferred from rear axle 20 to left rear wheel18L and right rear wheel 18R.

Stage 38 covers various components of line striper 10 that areunderneath stage 38, including battery bay 50. Stage 38 directly coversa top portion of battery bay 50, including covering an entire topside ofany battery, such as first battery 52, contained therein. Left flange82L extends over and wraps partially around left side section 66L andright flange 82R extends over and wraps partially around right sidesection 66R and to prevent stage 38 from sliding on horizontal frame 12.Fasteners 86 help secure stage 38 to horizontal frame 12 to preventmovement of stage 38. Fasteners 86 can be disengaged from slots 84 instage 38, and stage can easily be lifted up and away from line striper10 to remove stage 38 and expose battery bay 50.

Battery bay 50 positions first battery 52 entirely directly between leftrear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R such that left rear wheel 18Land right rear wheel 18R cover both lateral sides of first battery 52.

Line striping can be messy, with paint being spilled and sprayed inunintended areas. Stage 38 protects battery bay 50. Stage 38 preventspaint, water (from cleaning or from rain), and other fluids fromcontacting first battery 52, or any other battery, in battery bay 50.

Stage 38 is also easily removable such that removing stage 38 forcleaning or replacement is quick and easy. Further, locating easilyremovable stage 38 above battery bay 50 permits easy access to batterybay 50. As a result, replacing batteries, such as first battery 52,within battery bay 50 is also quick and easy. Importantly, the batteryis the component within horizontal frame 12 that is in need of removal,replacement, and/or servicing most frequently during the life of linestriper 10.

Some line striping projects can lead to inadvertent damage to thecomponents of line striper 10. For example, frequent maneuvering canlead to accidently running line striper 10 into curbs during outdoorstriping or into objects during indoor striping (such as in warehousesor factories). Because first battery 52 is positioned partially belowhorizontal frame 12, first battery 52 poses a hazard. First battery 52is at risk of being impacted when line striper 10 runs into curbs orobjects, and impacted batteries can leak and/or ignite. Such risk isminimized because left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R protectfirst battery 52. Left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R coverboth lateral sides of first battery 52, which decreases the number ofpaths along which an object could impinge on first battery 52.Additionally, the position of stage 32 balances the load of fluidreservoir 36, which is a particularly heavy component of line striper10. As a result, maneuvering line striper 10 is easier and smoother.

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of line striper 10 with stage 38 andfront cover 22 removed to show battery bay 50 with first battery 52.FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of line striper 10 of FIG. 6 takenalong the longitudinal axis of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 6 and 7 will bediscussed together. Line striper 10 includes horizontal frame 12, frontwheel 14, left rear wheel 18L (shown in FIG. 6), right rear wheel 18R,rear axle 20, front cover 22 (shown in FIGS. 1-5), middle cover 24(shown in FIGS. 1-5), motor 26, motor control 28, pump 30 (shown in FIG.6), fluid reservoir 36 (shown in FIGS. 1-3), stage 38 (shown in FIGS.1-5), underside plate 46, underside support 48, battery bay 50 (whichincludes rear compartment 50R and forward compartment 50F), firstbattery 52, and inverter 88. Horizontal frame 12 includes left sidesection 66L, and right side section 66R (shown in FIG. 6). First battery52 includes center of mass 90 (shown in FIG. 7). Inverter 88 includescenter of mass 92 (shown in FIG. 7).

Line striper 10 has the same structure as described in reference toFIGS. 1-5. Motor 26 is positioned above a bottom of horizontal frame 12and above rear axle 20. Pump 30 is attached to motor 26 and alsopositioned above the bottom of horizontal frame 12 and rear axle 20.Stage 38, which supports fluid reservoir 36, is removably positioned onhorizontal frame 12 such that stage 38 rests on horizontal frame 12above, or over, rear axle 20, underside support 48, and battery bay 50.Battery bay 50 extends rearward and forward of rear axle 20. Battery bay50 has rear compartment 50R, which is a portion of battery bay locatedrearward of rear axle 20, and forward compartment 50F, which is aportion of battery bay located forward of rear axle 20. Rear compartment50R and forward compartment 50F are equidistant from rear axle 20. Firstbattery 52 is positioned rearward of rear axle 20 in rear compartment50R and supported by horizontal frame 20. As such, horizontal frame 12is cantilevered from rear axle 20. Inverter 88 is positioned below motor26 and above underside plate 46. Inverter 88 is within horizontal frame12 between left side section 66L and right side section 66R ofhorizontal frame 12. Inverter 88 is located in front of rear axle 20 andbetween first and right rear wheels 18L and 18R and front wheel 14.Inverter 88 is forward of rear compartment 50R and forward compartment50F of battery bay 50. Inverter 88 is positioned such that inverter iscovered by front cover 22 and middle cover 24.

Center of mass 90 of first battery 52 is located below the bottom ofhorizontal frame 12 (and thus below the whole of horizontal frame 12).Because first battery 52 is located partially below rear axle 20 andpartially above horizontal frame 12, center of mass 90 is located belowhorizontal frame 12 and above rear axle 20. Center of mass 92 ofinverter 88 is located between a top and the bottom of horizontal frame12 such that center of mass 92 is not above or below left side section66L or right side section 66R. Center of mass 92 is located directlybetween left side section 66L and right side section 66R of horizontalframe 12.

Line striper 10 is typically pushed forward when spraying stripes. Linestriper 10 may be turned about left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel18R in some turn maneuvers of line striper 10. Alternatively, linestriper 10 may be pivoted such that left rear wheel 18L and right rearwheel 18R rotate in opposite directions. Locating first battery 52 inrear compartment 50R behind rear axle 20, fluid reservoir 36 on stage 38over rear axle 20 (which distributes the weight of the paint both infront of and behind rear axle 20), and inverter 88 in front of rear axle20 positions the heavy components on opposite sides of rear axle 20, thepoint about which line striper 10 is rotated. Such positioning balancesthe turning load of line striper 10. Balancing the heavy components withrespect to rear axle 20 minimizes the distance that the particularlyheavy components have to travel while turning.

A bottom portion of battery bay 50 extends below horizontal frame 12 andrear axle 20 to position first battery 52 partially above and partiallybelow rear axle 20 and partially above and partially below the bottom ofhorizontal frame 12 so that center of mass 90 is located belowhorizontal frame 12 and above rear axle 20. Lowering center of mass 90of first battery 52 lowers the center of mass of line striper 10.

Inverter 88 converts direct current (DC) power output from first battery52, and possibly an additional battery, to alternating current (AC)power that is routed to motor control 28. Motor control 28 converts theAC power to DC power that is input to motor 26 to cause motor 26 tooutput mechanical motion that reciprocates pump 30. Inverter 88 can alsosupply motor control 28 with AC power from a wall outlet (via plug 44).Additionally, inverter 88 can supply DC power to first battery 52 tocharge first battery 52.

Parking lot and indoor striping projects often require numerous shortstripes, requiring frequent turning and repositioning of the linestriper. For example, the line striper may have to be repositioned tothe starting location for spraying each stripe. Frequent maneuvering ofline striper 10 could be particularly fatiguing to the user because linestriper 10 includes several particularly heavy components, resulting ina unit that can weigh several hundred pounds. Among the particularlyheavy components are fluid reservoir 36 filled with paint, first battery52 (as well as any additional battery), and inverter 88. A user pushingline striper 10 is at risk of become fatigued while pushing andmaneuvering line striper 10 during a project. The relative positioningof the particularly heavy components on line striper 10 is designed tominimize such fatigue by improving maneuverability of line striper 10.For example, balancing the turning load of line striper 10 minimizes themanual energy expenditure, and resulting fatigue, of the user during theturning maneuvers of line striper 10.

Additionally, positioning fluid reservoir 36 and motor 26 relativelyhigh on line striper 10 is beneficial as it allows for easy refillingand servicing by the user. Unfortunately, such positioning can make aline striper top heavy and at risk of tipping. Lowering center of mass90 of first battery 52, thereby minimizing the height of the center ofmass of line striper 10, makes line striper 10 easier to handle, moremaneuverable, and less prone to tipping.

Motor control 28 can receive one type of input power (e.g. AC power)while inverter 88 can receive either or both of DC power from firstbattery 52 or AC power from a standard electrical wall outlet via plug44 and supply power to motor control 28 in the form of the AC power thatmotor control 28 can accept. As such, motor 26 may run on power from awall outlet or from first battery 52 when a standard electrical walloutlet is unavailable. When a standard wall outlet is available, firstbattery 52 can be charged. Further, inverter 88 allows motor control 28and motor 26 to be configured similarly to motors used outside of theline striper industry, which are designed to accept an AC wall outletpower from a standard electrical wall outlet. Such motors can be usedwith line striper 10.

FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of line striper 10 with stage 38 andfront cover 22 removed to show battery bay 50 with first battery 52 andsecond battery 94. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of line striper10 of FIG. 8 taken along the longitudinal axis of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 8and 9 will be discussed together. Line striper 10 includes horizontalframe 12, left rear wheel 18L, right rear wheel 18R, rear axle 20, fluidreservoir 36 (shown in FIGS. 1-3), underside support 48, battery bay 50(which includes rear compartment 50R and forward compartment 50F), firstbattery 52, inverter 88, and second battery 94. First battery 52includes center of mass 90 (shown in FIG. 9). Inverter 88 has center ofmass 92 (shown in FIG. 9). Second battery 94 includes center of mass 96(shown in FIG. 9).

Line striper 10 has the same structure as described in reference toFIGS. 1-7. Line striper 10 also includes second battery 94. As seen inFIGS. 8 and 9, battery bay 50 accepts second battery 94 in forwardcompartment 50F, and underside support 48 cradles second battery 94.Second battery 94 is a front battery as it is in forward compartment50F, or the front-most position within battery bay 50. Thus, secondbattery 94 is positioned in battery bay 50 adjacent to and forward offirst battery 52. Second battery 94 is positioned forward of rear axle20 in forward compartment 50F of battery bay 50. Rear compartment 50Rand forward compartment 50F of battery bay are balanced on oppositesides of rear axle 20 such that first battery 52 and second battery 94are close to, equidistant from, and balanced on opposite sides of rearaxle 20. Rear axle 20 is directly between rear compartment 50R andforward compartment 50F, and thus, rear axle 20 is directly betweenfirst battery 52 and second battery 94. In this embodiment, firstbattery 56 and second battery 94 butt up against rear and front sides ofrear axle 20, respectively. Second battery 94 is in the equivalentvertical position as first battery 52. Like first battery 52, secondbattery 94 is also positioned partially above and partially below thebottom of horizontal frame 12 and partially above and partially belowrear axle 20 when placed in battery bay 50. Second battery 94 is alsorear of inverter 88. Second battery 94 may be rectangular. For example,second battery 94 is shown as a standard rectangular box battery used inthe automotive and/or marine industry. Second battery 94 may also be adeep cycle marine battery (e.g. lead-acid), a lithium battery, or anyother suitable battery. Center of mass 90 is located behind, or rearwardof, rear axle 20 while center of mass 96 is located in front, orforward, of rear axle 20. Center of mass 90 and center of mass 96 arelocated equidistant from rear axle 20 as measured along the longitudinalaxis of FIG. 1. Center of mass 96 of second battery 94 is located belowthe bottom of horizontal frame 12 (and thus below the whole ofhorizontal frame 12). Center of mass 96 is located above rear axle 20.

Battery bay 50 positions second battery 94 partially above and partiallybelow rear axle 20 and partially above and partially below the bottom ofhorizontal frame 12 so that center of mass 96 is located belowhorizontal frame 12 and above rear axle 20. Lowering center of mass 96of first battery 52 lowers the center of mass of line striper 10.Battery bay 50 also positions second battery 94 entirely directlybetween left rear wheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R such that left rearwheel 18L and right rear wheel 18R cover both lateral sides of secondbattery 94. Additionally, because rear compartment 50R and forwardcompartment 50F of battery bay are balanced on opposite sides of rearaxle 20, positioning first battery 52 and second battery 94 close to,equidistant from, and balanced on opposite sides of rear axle 20, theweight of first battery 52 and second battery 94 are balanced about acommon point of rotation (rear axle 20) to minimize the net force thatmust be applied by the user when turning line striper 10. Second battery94 is also balanced about rear axle 20 with respect to fluid reservoir36 and inverter 88, particularly center of mass 92, as described abovein reference to first battery 52 in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Second battery 94 is among the particularly heavy components of linestriper 10. A user pushing line striper 10 is at risk of become fatiguedwhile pushing and maneuvering line striper 10 during a project. Thepositioning of the second battery 94 with respect to first battery 52and rear axle 20 is designed to minimize such fatigue by improvingmaneuverability of line striper 10. Lowering center of mass 96 of secondbattery 94 also contributes to minimizing the height of the center ofmass of line striper 10, making line striper 10 easier to handle, moremaneuverable, and less prone to tipping.

Because second battery 94 is positioned partially below horizontal frame12, second battery 94 poses a hazard. Second battery 94 is at risk ofbeing impacted when line striper 10 runs into curbs or objects, andimpacted batteries can leak and/or ignite. Such risk is minimized bylocating second battery 94 entirely directly between left rear wheel 18Land right rear wheel 18R such that left rear wheel 18L and right rearwheel 18R are covering both lateral sides of first battery 94 and thepaths along which an object could impinge on second battery 94 isdecreased.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of line striper 10 showing circuitry of linestriper 10. Line striper 10 includes motor 26, motor control 28, pump 30(shown in FIG. 1), intake hose 32 (shown in FIG. 1), plug 44, firstbattery 52, operator station 56 (shown in FIG. 1), power switch 58,inverter 88 (which includes AC output port 98, AC input port 100,battery input port 102, and on/off port 104), pressure control inputmodule 106, first relay 108, and second relay 110.

Line striper 10 has the same structure as described in reference toFIGS. 1-7. Line striper 10 may also include second battery 94 asdescribed in reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Motor 26 is an electric motor,as stated above. Motor 26 is a DC motor, or accepts DC power and doesnot accept AC power. Motor 26 is electrically connected to motor control28. Motor control 28 is an AC motor control, or accepts AC power anddoes not accept DC power. Motor control 28 is electrically connected toinverter 88. Motor control 28 is also electrically connected to powerswitch 58. Specifically, power switch 58 is electrically connected tomotor control 28 and inverter 88, between motor control 28 and inverter88. Power switch 58 is also electrically connected to first battery 52.Power switch 58 may be a mechanical toggle having two positionscorresponding to an on position and an off position. Power switch 58 isthe only user-actuable externally-accessible power switch of linestriper 10. Power switch 58 controls power to one or both of inverter 88and motor control 28. Power switch 58 gates two electrical pathways.First battery 52 is also connected to inverter 88. First battery 52typically outputs a direct current at 12 volts. First battery 52 can beany rechargeable battery. While only first battery 52 is shown in FIG.10, second battery 94 can be used additionally or alternatively in thesame manner as first battery 52. Inverter 88 is further electricallyconnected to plug 44.

Inverter 88 has AC output port 98. AC output port 98 is configured tooutput AC power. Inverter 88 is electrically connected to motor control28 via AC output port 98. Inverter 88 is also electrically connected topower switch 58 via AC output port 98. Specifically, power switch 58 iselectrically connected between AC output port 98 and motor control 28.AC output port 98 can output AC power from inverter 88 that is similaror identical to an AC wall outlet power (e.g. 120 V, 60 Hz power orother regionally appropriate standard AC power). Inverter 88 has ACinput port 100. Inverter 88 is electrically connected to plug 44 via ACinput port 100. AC input port 100 is configured to accept AC power. Plug44 is electrically connected to inverter 88 via AC input port 100. Plug44 can accept a power cord, such as a standard electrical extensioncord, to connect to a standard electrical wall outlet and convey ACpower from the wall outlet to AC input port 100 of inverter 88. Inverter88 has battery input port 102. First battery 52 is electricallyconnected to inverter 88 via battery input port 102. Battery input port102 is configured to accept DC power. Battery input port 102 is alsoconfigured to deliver, or output, DC power to first battery 52. Inverter88 has on/off port 104. On/off port 104 has two electrical pathwaysrunning through on/off port 104, which are part of the same circuit.

Pressure control input module 106 is connected to motor control 28.Pressure control input module 106 can be part of a circuit at operatorstation 56 that allows the user to set a desired pressure level, such aswith a potentiometer dial or digital set point circuit indicatingdifferent pressure levels. Additionally or alternatively, pressurecontrol module 106 can be a pressure transducer located downstream ofpump 30 (e.g. upstream of intake hose 32 or along intake hose 32) tomeasure fluid pressure output by pump 30. The circuitry of motor control28 can include an integrated circuit configured to increase or decreasethe DC power output by motor control 28 based on the measured pressureand set pressure.

First relay 108 is electrically connected to inverter 88 through on/offport 104. The circuit of on/off port 104 runs through first relay 108.First relay 108 is also electrically connected to power switch 58. Firstrelay 108 is electrically connected between power switch 58 and on/offport 104 of inverter 88. Further, power switch 58 is electricallyconnected between first relay 108 and first battery 52. First relay 108can comprise a relay circuit having one or more relays. First relay 108is electrically connected to second relay 110. Second relay 110 iselectrically connected to plug 44. Second relay 110 can comprise a relaycircuit having one or more relays. In alternate embodiments, first relay108 and second relay 110 can be inside inverter 88. First relay 108 andsecond relay 110 can comprise a relay circuit.

Inverter 88 receives AC power from a wall outlet via plug 44 and ACinput port 100. Inverter 88 may route the AC wall outlet power from ACinput port 100 to AC output port 98. In routing the AC wall outletsignal between AC input port 100 and AC output port 98, inverter 88 maynot alter the signal in any way (e.g. no rectifying, filtering,modulating, conditioning, or any other alteration). Inverter 88 outputsthe AC power from AC output port 98 to motor control 28. Motor control28 rectifies and conditions the AC power and routes the rectified powerto motor 26. Such rectification and conditioning can include convertingthe AC wall outlet power to DC power and lowering the voltage of thesignal from the peak AC wall outlet signal voltage (e.g. by use ofdiodes and inductors). The DC power from motor control 28 powers, ordrives, motor 26.

Pressure control input module 106 induces circuitry of motor control 28to modulate the DC power output to motor 26 (e.g. by increasing ordecreasing the voltage). Pressure control input module 106 cancommunicate an indicated pressure level or a measured pressure to motorcontrol 28 to achieve the desired pressure. For example, the DC poweroutput by motor control 28 to motor 26 can be increased to increase thespeed of the motor when the measured pressure is below a set pressure.Likewise, the power of the DC signal output by motor control 28 to motor26 can be decreased to decrease the speed of the motor when the measuredpressure is above a set pressure. As such, motor 26 is a variable speedmotor 26.

Each time inverter 88 is powered on, inverter 88 checks whether an ACwall outlet signal is being received through AC input port 100. If so,inverter 88 uses the AC wall outlet signal. If the AC wall outlet signalis not detected, inverter 88 uses power from first battery 52. Whilepowered, inverter 88 may periodically check (e.g. every 15 seconds)whether the AC wall outlet signal is available and always prefer to usethe AC wall outlet signal source of power over power from first battery52.

First battery 52 is electrically connected to battery input port 102 tosupply electrical power in the form of DC power to inverter 88. Inverter88 accepts DC power (typically 12 volts) from first battery 52.Likewise, inverter 88 can deliver DC power to first battery 52,recharging first battery 52. Inverter 88 converts the DC power into ACpower (e.g. by using a switch to rapidly reverse the polarity of thesignal and capacitors and inductors to smooth the switching signal). Theconverted AC power may be similar to the AC wall outlet signal output bya standard electrical wall outlet (e.g. 120 V, 60 Hz power or otherregionally appropriate standard AC power). The converted AC power isthen routed through AC output port 98 to output the power to motorcontrol 28. Motor control 28 rectifies and conditions the AC power anddelivers it to motor 26 as DC power.

Inverter 88 must be turned on to both (1) route the AC wall outlet powerfrom AC input port 100 to AC output port 98 and (2) convert the DC powerfrom battery input port 102 into AC power and route the converted ACpower to AC output port 98. The modules of inverter 88 that perform suchfunctions only do so when powered. Inverter 88 does not route the ACwall outlet power between AC input port 100 and AC output port 98 orconvert the DC power from battery input port 102 into AC power foroutput via the AC output port 98 when inverter 88 is not powered on oris otherwise in an off state. Inverter 88 must also be turned on tocharge first battery 52.

Inverter 88 powers off or on when power switch 58 is toggled to the offposition or the on position, respectively. Power switch 58 operates toopen or close the two electrical pathways gated by power switch 58 intandem such that both pathways are either broken to disallow currentflow or completed to permit current flow. As such, power switch 58controls first relay 108. When power switch 58 is in the off position,the two electrical pathways gated by power switch 58 are open. As aresult, the electrical circuit that would otherwise power first relay108 is open and first relay is not powered. Consequently, inverter 88 isnot powered on. Additionally, when power switch 58 is in the offposition and the two electrical pathways gated by power switch 58 areopen, power switch 58 cuts off power from inverter 88 to motor control28. Conversely, when power switch 58 is in the on position, the twoelectrical pathways are closed. As a result, the electrical circuit thatpowers first relay 108 is closed. The low power signal from firstbattery 52 flows through power switch 58 to power first relay 108.Consequently, inverter 88 powers on. As such, power switch 58 controlsfirst relay 108 to turn inverter 88 on.

Inverter 88 applies a potential difference (corresponding to a lowvoltage signal) between the two electrical pathways of the circuitrunning through on/off port 104, even when in an off state, to determinewhether first relay 108 is powered or not. Such a function is powered byfirst battery 52, which is always connected to inverter 88 and supplyingenergy as needed. When first relay 108 is not powered, first relay 108is open, opening the circuit running through first relay 108 andconnecting to on/off port 104. An open state of first relay 108 preventsthe flow of current through the circuit of the on/off port 104. As such,the low power signal of on/off port 104 does not conduct, causinginverter 88 to be in an off state. When first relay 108 is powered,first relay 108 closes the circuit running through first relay 108 andconnecting to on/off port 104. A closed state of first relay 108 permitsthe flow of current through the circuit of the on/off port 104, allowingthe low power signal to flow at on/off port 104. Inverter 88 detects thelow voltage signal through on/off port 104, causing inverter 88 to poweron. Inverter 88 may have one or more integrated circuits programmed toperform the checks and coordinate such functions.

Powering on inverter 88 or transitioning inverter 88 from the off stateto the on state does not mean that inverter 88 was previously entirelynot powered or was not performing any function. Rather, in the off, orunpowered state, inverter 88 does not output AC power from AC outputport 98 (the power for which comes through either AC input port 100 orbattery input port 102) and the circuitry that performs such function isnot powered. In the on, or powered state, inverter 88 outputs the ACpower from AC output port 98 and the circuitry which performs suchfunction is powered on. Even while powered off, inverter 88 stilloperates sufficiently to check the continuity of the circuit that runsthrough on/off port 104 to monitor whether inverter 88 should turn on orremain off. As such, inverter 88 is not powered via the circuit ofon/off port 104. Rather, the open or closed state of the circuit ofon/off port 104 serves as a command to inverter 88 to power on or off.Power switch 58 determines whether first relay 108 is powered or not.

To run line striper 10 off of first battery 52 alone (not from plug 44),or to turn on inverter 88 for routing power from first battery 52 tomotor control 28, the following actions happen in sequence: (1) powerswitch 58 is toggled from the off position to the on position; (2) thecircuit associated with power switch 58 closes, allowing DC power fromfirst battery 52 to power first relay 108; (3) the circuit that runsthrough on/off port 104 closes, allowing the low power signal to flowthrough on/off port 104; (4) inverter 88 is triggered to turn on andstarts converting DC power from first battery 52 into AC power; (5)inverter 88 outputs the AC power to motor control 28 via AC output port98; (6) motor control 28 turns on, converts the AC power to DC power,and outputs the DC power to motor 26 to run pump 30, which pumps paintfor spraying line stripes.

To turn off motor 26 when running line striper 10 off of power fromfirst battery 52 alone (not from plug 44), the following actions happenin sequence: (1) power switch 58 is toggled from the on position to theoff position; (2) the circuit associated with power switch 58 opens,stopping DC power from first battery 52 from powering first relay 108;(3) the circuit that runs through on/off port 104 opens, no longerallowing the low power signal to flow through on/off port 104; (4)inverter 88 is triggered to turn off and stop converting the DC powerfrom first battery 52 into AC power and stop outputting the AC power tomotor control 28 via AC output port 98; (5) motor control 28 no longerpowers motor 26, stopping pump 30 from pumping.

To charge first battery 52 while not line striping, power switch 58 istoggled to the off position, opening the circuit that goes from firstbattery 52 to first relay 108. DC power from first battery 52 is stoppedfrom powering first relay 108, which powers down inverter 88. AC walloutlet power is supplied to plug 44, such as by connecting an extensioncord between plug 44 and a standard electrical wall outlet. The AC poweris routed to AC input port 100, supplying AC power to inverter 88 butalone not triggering inverter 88 to power on. Plug 44 controls secondrelay 110. The AC wall outlet power running through plug 44 is alsorouted to second relay 110, which powers second relay 110. When secondrelay 110 is powered by the AC wall outlet power, second relay 110 turnson to close a circuit that routes power from first battery 52 to firstrelay 108. As a result, power from first battery 52 powers first relay108 to close the circuit that runs through on/off port 104, triggeringinverter 88 to turn on. Inverter 88 starts converting the AC wall outletpower into DC power and routing the DC power to battery input port 102to charge first battery 52. As such, second relay 110 turns on inverter88 so that first battery 52 can be charged when line striper isconnected to an AC wall outlet and power switch 58 is in the offposition.

Even though inverter 88 is turned on to charge first battery 52, motorcontrol 28 is not powered by inverter 88, and motor 26 cannot runbecause the circuit that runs from AC output port 98 to motor control 28runs through power switch 58, which is in the off position. Aspreviously stated, when power switch 58 is in the off position, thecircuit between AC output port 98 and motor control 28 is open. As such,to charge first battery 52 while line striping, power switch 58 must bein the on position while AC wall outlet power is conducted through plug44. Further, if plug 44 is receiving AC power, inverter 88 will bepowered on and charge first battery 52 regardless of whether powerswitch 58 is in the on position or the off position.

Inverter 88 allows line striper 10 to have a single motor control 30that accepts AC power but can run on electrical power derived from an ACwall outlet or a DC battery when a wall outlet is unavailable. Further,motor control 38 can use circuitry that would typically be used formotor controls that receive AC power directly (without an interveninginverter). As such, inverter 88 allows motor control 28 and motor 26 tobe configured similarly to motors used outside of the line striperindustry, which are designed to accept AC power from a standardelectrical wall outlet. As a result, such motors can be used with linestriper 10.

Additionally, line striper 10 can run (e.g. operate motor 26 and otherelectrical power-consuming components) solely off first battery 52. Assuch, no electrical or liquid fuel power source other than first battery52 is necessary to run line striper 10. Thus, line striper 10 can beused in a greater number of environments, such as outside or in otherenvironments that would otherwise not be possible to stripe in due to alack of available power sources. When first battery 52 eventuallydepletes and needs recharging, line striper 10 can recharge firstbattery 52, reducing battery replacement, which saves time and money.When charging a battery while not line striping, energy is saved becauseinverter is not outputting AC power from AC output port 98.Consequently, the battery is recharged more quickly. Line striper 10 canalso be operated to paint stripes while charging a battery, such thatcharging the battery does not cause delay.

Because second relay 110 can turn on inverter 88 to charge first battery52 when power switch 58 is in the off position, line striper 10 can havea single power switch 58. From the perspective of the user, power switch58 will have the effect of powering motor 26 on and off even though themanner in which motor 26 is powered by toggling power switch 58 is notas direct as the user may imagine. Having a single power switch 58 forthe user is beneficial. In a line striper not including first relay 108and second relay 110, a second power switch or a power switch with athird recharging position (besides on and off) is required to turninverter 88 on, permitting recharging but cutting power to motor control28 and motor 26. In such a line stripper, it is easy to just unplug thecord form plug 44 and forget to turn power switch 58 to the off positionwhen battery charging is complete. Consequently, inverter 88 is left onand drains first battery 52 due to the high power consumption needed tomaintain inverter 88 in an on state, even when inverter 88 is notoutputting power. Using first relay 108 and second relay 110 to power-oninverter 88 when plug 44 is used allows power switch 58 to have only twopositions (associated with motor-on and motor-off states). As a result,power switch 58 is disassociated from charging and inverter 88 may nothave a separate “on” switch accessible to a user. Thus, the risk ofinadvertent draining of first battery 52 is eliminated.

While paint has been used as an example of fluid sprayed from linestriping system 10, other fluids and/or particles (e.g. beads, flowablesolids, pellets, coatings, solvents, water, or oil) can be sprayed inaddition to or instead of paint for ground marking.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A line striper for ground marking with asprayable fluid, the line striper comprising: a horizontal frame; afront wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a left rear wheel and aright rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a rear axle extendingfrom one or both of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel; amounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame; a spray gunmounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying theground; a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured topump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun; and a fluid reservoir supportstage removably positioned over the horizontal frame, wherein the stageis positioned on the horizontal frame above the rear axle and extendsrearward of the rear axle.
 2. The line striper of claim 1, furtherincluding a fluid reservoir positioned on the stage.
 3. The line striperof claim 1, and further including a battery bay below the stageconfigured to hold at least one battery, wherein the stage covers thebattery bay and is removable to expose the battery bay.
 4. The linestriper of claim 1, wherein the horizontal frame further includes: aleft side section; and a right side section opposite the left sidesection; wherein the stage rests on the left side section and the rightside section.
 5. The line striper of claim 1, wherein the stage includesa wire frame ring shaped to surround a fluid reservoir.
 6. A linestriper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the line stripercomprising: a horizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to the horizontalframe; a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to thehorizontal frame; a rear axle extending from one or both of the leftrear wheel and the right rear wheel; a mounting arm assembly connectedto the horizontal frame; a spray gun mounted on the mounting armassembly and positioned for spraying the ground; a pump mounted on thehorizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to thespray gun; and a fluid reservoir support stage removably positioned overthe horizontal frame, wherein the stage includes: a planar base having afront end, a rear end, a left lateral side, and a right lateral side; afront flange extending from the front end of the base; a left flangeextending from the left lateral side of the base; and a right flangeextending from the right lateral side of base; wherein the front flange,the left flange, and the right flange extend over and wrap partiallyaround the horizontal frame.
 7. The line striper of claim 6, furtherincluding: a fastener extending into the left flange and the horizontalframe; and a fastener extending into the right flange and the horizontalframe.
 8. A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, theline striper powered by at least one battery, the line stripercomprising: a horizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to the horizontalframe; a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to thehorizontal frame; a rear axle extending from at least one of the leftrear wheel and the right rear wheel; a mounting arm assembly connectedto the horizontal frame; a spray gun mounted on the mounting armassembly and positioned for spraying the ground; a pump mounted on thehorizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to thespray gun; and a battery bay including a rear compartment, the rearcompartment located entirely rearward of the rear axle and having spacefor holding a battery of the at least one battery.
 9. A line striper forground marking with a sprayable fluid, the line striper powered by atleast one battery, the line striper comprising: a horizontal frame; afront wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a left rear wheel and aright rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a rear axle extendingfrom at least one of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel; amounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame; a spray gunmounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying theground; a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured topump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun; and a battery bay including arear compartment, the rear compartment located rearward of the rear axleand having space for holding a battery of the at least one battery,wherein the battery bay includes a forward compartment located forwardof the rear axle and having space for holding a second battery, whereinthe rear compartment and the forward compartment are equidistant fromthe rear axle.
 10. A line striper for ground marking with a sprayablefluid, the line striper powered by at least one battery, the linestriper comprising: a horizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to thehorizontal frame; a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted tothe horizontal frame; a rear axle extending from at least one of theleft rear wheel and the right rear wheel; a mounting arm assemblyconnected to the horizontal frame; a spray gun mounted on the mountingarm assembly and positioned for spraying the ground; a pump mounted onthe horizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid tothe spray gun; a battery bay including a rear compartment, the rearcompartment located rearward of the rear axle and having space forholding a battery of the at least one battery; and an inverterpositioned within the horizontal frame forward of the rear axle.
 11. Aline striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the line striperpowered by at least one battery, the line striper comprising: ahorizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a leftrear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; arear axle extending from at least one of the left rear wheel and theright rear wheel; a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontalframe; a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positionedfor spraying the ground; a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, thepump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun; a batterybay including a rear compartment, the rear compartment located rearwardof the rear axle and having space for holding a battery of the at leastone battery; and an underside support connected to the horizontal frameand forming a bottom portion of the battery bay.
 12. The line striper ofclaim 8, further including: a fluid reservoir support stage removablypositioned on the horizontal frame; and a fluid reservoir positioned onthe stage such that the fluid reservoir is above the rear axle.
 13. Aline striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the line striperpowered by at least one battery, the line striper comprising: ahorizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a leftrear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; arear axle extending from at least one of the left rear wheel and theright rear wheel; a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontalframe; a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positionedfor spraying the ground; a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, thepump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun; and abattery bay located directly between the left rear wheel and the rightrear wheel, wherein the battery bay is a space for holding the at leastone battery and extends partially below the rear axle.
 14. A linestriper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid, the line striperpowered by at least one battery, the line striper comprising: ahorizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; a leftrear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame; arear axle extending from at least one of the left rear wheel and theright rear wheel; a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontalframe; a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positionedfor spraying the ground; a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, thepump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun; and abattery bay located directly between the left rear wheel and the rightrear wheel, wherein the battery bay is a space for holding the at leastone battery, wherein a bottom portion of the battery bay is formed by anunderside support connected to the horizontal frame, the undersidesupport extending below the horizontal frame and the rear axle such thatthe bottom portion of the battery bay is below the horizontal frame andthe rear axle.
 15. The line striper of claim 13, wherein the battery bayincludes a rear compartment rearward of the rear axle for holding afirst battery.
 16. A line striper for ground marking with a sprayablefluid, the line striper powered by at least one battery, the linestriper comprising: a horizontal frame; a front wheel mounted to thehorizontal frame; a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted tothe horizontal frame; a rear axle extending from at least one of theleft rear wheel and the right rear wheel; a mounting arm assemblyconnected to the horizontal frame; a spray gun mounted on the mountingarm assembly and positioned for spraying the ground; a pump mounted onthe horizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid tothe spray gun; and a battery bay that extends partially below the rearaxle, wherein the battery bay is a space for holding the at least onebattery.
 17. The line striper of claim 16, wherein a bottom portion ofthe battery bay extends below the horizontal frame and the rear axle,such that each of the at least one battery is positioned partially aboveand partially below a bottom of the horizontal frame and partially aboveand partially below the rear axle when the first battery is placed inthe battery bay.
 18. The line striper of claim 16, further including: afluid reservoir support stage removably positioned on the horizontalframe; and a fluid reservoir positioned on the stage such that the fluidreservoir is above the rear axle and the horizontal frame.
 19. The linestriper of claim 16, further including a motor positioned above a bottomof the horizontal frame and above the rear axle; wherein the pump isconnected to the motor and positioned above the bottom of the horizontalframe and above the rear axle.